Vacuum closing machine



A ril 12, 1938. s. s. JACOBS 2,113,591

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 !Z /3/ //7 0 i, Z00

\o 317 2 w o 3 6 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS April 12, 1938. s. SJJACO'BS 2,113,591

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE I 'I/IIIIIIIIII/ INVENTOR W. ATTORNEYS April 12, 193 8. t s 5 JACOBS 2,113,591

VACUUM CLOS ING- MACHINE ,q ATTORNEYS April 12, 1938. s, s JACOBS 2,113,591

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed May 1 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Z INVENTO BY a E22 4 AZ.

ATTORNEYS r I Patented Apr. 12, 19:38

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Samuel Sidney Jacobs. San Mateo, Calif., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 1, 1934, Sam No. 723,418

1 Claims.

The present invention relates to a vacuum closing machine and has particular refer'ence'to one wherein a can and cover are manually placed within a seaming chamber which is manually 5 closed and wherein a vacuumization of the chamber is manually initiated and after a predetermined degree of vacuum is established within the chamber and within the can, the operations incident to seaming can and cover together then automatically follow so that a fully vacuumized and sealed can results.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum can closing machine which performs a vacuum sealing operation on a can, such sealing being automatically delayed until after sufllcient vacuum has been created within the can being sealed.

1 Another object of the invention is the provi sion of a vacuum chamber which is closed by hand after a can and cover have been inserted for seaming and which is vacuumized during the vacuumization of the can, the building up of such a vacuum to a predetermined point starting the operations of seaming which then continue through a complete cycle resulting in a fully vacuumized and sealed can. A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of the character described which requires a correct closing and vacuumizing of the vacuum chamber tobring the can and its cover into seaming position and one wherein opening of the chamber is preventedv provision of can and cover holding devices for vacuum closing machines which hold a superimposed cover'only loosely on the can, thus permitting unrestricted withdrawal of the air from 50 are more closely held for the seaming operation.

An object of the invention is the provision of a seaming head for a vacuum closing machine which is substantially sealed airtight so that its interior is not afiected 'by vacuu'mization or change of atmosphere in the chamber in which it is enclosed.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus of the character described having seaming Yet another object of the invention is the pro- Still another object of the invention is the its interior and after the vacuumization' of they can has been completed the can and its cover 1 mechanism located within the chamber which cannot normally be operated without a predetermined degree of vacuum in the chamber, provision being made in such a machine of an auxiliarymanual control for effecting such seaming operation without any vacuum so that inspection, setting, testing, etc., of the-parts 'of the seeming mechanism may be had.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a seaming mechanism for a vacuum closing machine having actuating elements for effecting a cycle of vacuum seaming, such elements including a clutch and a braking device which coact for greater accuracy in seaming.

A still further object is the provision of a seaming head for a vacuum closing machine which is adjustable for tightness of scam and in addition is adaptable for seaming cans of different sizes.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of. a non-repeat device for a vacuum closing machine which insures one and only one seaming cycle for each can.

Yet another object is the provision of a manual starting handle for such a machine by means of which the cycle of machine operations is first begun after which beginning the handle is locked against movement and can no longer be operated until after a full cycle has been completed, this feature making the machine foolproof and not dependent upon the skill of the operator.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodyingv the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 parts being broken away;

, Fig. 3 is a combined section and side elevation of the machine taken from the same viewpoint as that of Fig. 2 but shown on an enlarged scale and including more of a section of the upper portion;

Fi 4 is a transverse sectional view taken sub-' can support so that the centers of chuck, can,

Fig. 10 is a plan sectional view taken substantially along the broken line Ill-I in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragment detail of a small section of the seaming head such as would be viewed from the position indicated by the line llll in Fig. 10, parts being broken back;

Fig. 12 is an under planview of the seaming head;

Fig. 13 is a detail of one of the seaming lever and roller units of the seaming head; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail of the seaming head as viewed along the line M-H in Fig. 12.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of the present invention comprises a seaming chamber which is contained within a suitable housing and which is opened at its front. This front of the chamber may be closed by a hinged door and through the opening a can with its superimposed cover is placed by hand upon a can support which extends into the lower part of the chamber and which has a, lower.can receiving position and a raised can seaming position.

A rotating seaming head is also located within the chamber and directly above the can support. This chamber is of sealed, airtight construction wherein a substantial part of the mechanism is contained within an airtight casing, this construction leaving the chuck and the seaming rollers outside of and below the enclosed head.

After the can with its cover is placed on the can support the chamber is closed by swinging the hinged door into closing position. This closing of the chamber-also brings into play centering devices which center the can and cover on the cover and can support are all in vertical alignment.

A handle control located outside of the chamber is then manually operated and the cycle of operations begins, there being three distinct manual actuations which take place as a result of the control movement and these are then followed by later operations as will be fu ly described.

The first relates to a cover holding device associated with the seaming mechanism which comes down to the cover superimposed on the can'and holds it loosely and against displacement but does not allow the cover to interfere with the withdrawing of air from the interior of the can.

The second act performed by this control movement is the closing of an atmosphere valve and the opening of a vacuum valve and thereupon the chamber is closed against atmosphere and is opened to a source of vacuum. Air is immediately withdrawn from the chamber and at the same time from the interior of the can.

The third work performed is the placing of a latch member so that the handle control will be locked, just as soon as the automatic features of the device come into play.

The escape of the air from the chamber is controlled by a set of valves which insure a slow vacuumization of a condition of low vacuum at the beginning of the operation and after a. predetermined degree of vacuum has been reached, for example, ten or twelve inches on the mercury gauge, a more rapid vacuumization takes place to bring the chamber under the higher degree of vacuum.

When the desired degree of vacuum is obtained in the vacuum chamber a piston control which is connected with the chamber is actuated and this control in its turn performs two distinct operations. The first of these is the locking of the handle control by means of the latch member referred to in a preceding paragraph so that it cannot be turned back until after the completion of all operations of the machine. The second relates to the actuation of a clutch device associated with the drive shaft .of the machine and driving connections being then established the automatic operations of the machine begin. -At the same time a brake located on a driven shaft is released.

Upon the starting of the machine driving elements the seaming head begins its rotation and this is immediately followed by a raising of the "can support and a bringing of the can and its cover into the seaming head for seaming. When the can and cover are clamped between the can support and the seaming chuck the loose hold of cover relative to the can is changed and the cover is tightly held in position during the seaming operation which immediately follows.

At the completion of the cycle of seaming operations of the machine a cam operates the clutch device to throw out the clutch connection and at the same time to apply the brake, this permitting the machine to come to a stop during which time the seamed can is lowered with the can support and-the parts are again restored to normal position..

Provision is made for manually disconnecting the piston control and the vacuum actuating members so that the machine may be run as a seaming machine without vacuum, this permitprises a support column 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) in the front of which an enlarged central casing 22 (see also Fig. 8) is formed and this casing encloses a seaming chamber 23. The chamber 23 is confined on all sides except the front which may be closed by a hinged door 25 having self-centering hinge devices.

Each hinge device comprises a lug 26 (Figs. 3 and 8) which extends laterally from one side of the door 25 and this lug swings on a hinge pintle pin 21 carried on a block 28. The pintle pin extends through a slot 29 formed in a frame lug 3| projecting out on one side of the casing 22. Each block 28 is in turn mounted on a bolt 32 which extends through the lug 3| and is threadedly engaged in the block. A spring 33 is mounted on the bolt and is confined between the head of the bolt and the lug 3|.

This construction permits shifting of the cen ters of the pintle and allows for a tight fit of the door when closed on the seaming chamber. The

inside face of the door 25 carries a suitable gasket strip or annulus 35 which engages the front face of the casing 22 surrounding the front opening of the chamber and when the chamber 23 is vacuumized the atmospheric pressureoutside of the door holds the gasket member 35 so that the chamber is completely sealed by the door. A handle 36 fixed on the front side of the door permits easy swinging into closed or opened ing. This lowered position of the support varies for different heights of can being seamed as will be further pointed out.

The support 4I carries centering lugs 45 (Figs. 2 and 8) which provide stops for the lower part of the can when the latter is placed in position on the support. The upper part of the can is engaged within notched fingers 46 formed on arms of a U-shaped bar 41 which is adjustably bolted to a slotted bracket 48 in its turn bolted to the wall of the casing 22. Each finger 46 is formed with an upper wall which engages the can cover 44 and provides for centering the cover as well as the upper end of the can.

When the door is closed both can and cover are positively held in the centered position or if there is any misalignment are centered relative to the fingers 46. This is efiected by an adjustable centering pad 5| formed on the inner end of an adjusting screw 52 located in a boss 53 formed in the door. Locknuts 54 threadedly engaged on the screw 52 are used to lock the pad 5| in its adjusted position.

A rotating seaming head indicated generally by the numeral 55 (Fig. 2) is located in the upper part of the chamber 23 and is directly over the can support 4|. This seaming head comprises a head casing 56 (Figs. 9 and 10) which is formed as a cylindrical shell, the lower'wall of which is merged at its center into a supporting hub 5'I. The hub 51 is splined to the lower end of a gear sleeve 58, the latter being formed with a reduced threaded lower end 59.

A tapered wall 6| is formed beneath the hub section 51 of the head and is concentric with but spaced from the threaded portion 59 of the sleeve 59 A tapered locknut 62 is threadedly engaged The gear sleeve 58 is carried on a hollow stem 63 which extends through the gear sleeve and this stem is reduced into a threaded lower portion 64 on which a seaming chuck 65 is threadedly engaged.

The chuck 65 is formed with a taper walled hub 66 which is located inside of the lower end of the gear sleeve 58. The stem 63 (Figs. 3 and 9) extends upwardly through a hollow bearing II which is formed in a casing cover 12 bolted on and supported by a gear casing head 13 which is supported on and bolted to a gear casing I4 formed in the column 2| as an extension of the chamber casing 22.

1 The top of the stem 63 is just above the upper end of the bearing H and the latter supports a block I 5 in which this upper stem end is threadedly engaged. The block is bolted at 16 to' the casing cover and the seaming head is thus supported from above, its weight being carried on the stem. Stem 63 being stationary holds the seaming chuck 65 stationary and it is against this chuck that the can and cover are clamped when the can support 4| is lifted as hereinafter described.

" ferent speed. The gear sleeve 58 is formed at its upper end into a, bevel gear section 8| (Figs. 3 and 9) and rotates within an outer gear sleeve 82 which extends through a seaming head casing cover 83 resting on the casing 56 and secured by bolts 84 to the casing. Gasket washers 85 are interposed between the cover and casing to provide a substantially airtight joint. 86 is seated within the cover 83 and surrounds the gear sleeve 82 providing a substantially airtight joint between the cover and sleeve.

The lower end of the gear sleeve 82 is connected in a tongue and groove joint 81 to the upper end of a hollow cam unit 89 which surrounds and ing. The gear sleeve 82 is formed as an integral part with a bevel gear 9| which is located directly below the gear 8|. A discussion of the operation of this cam unit and other parts carried in the seaming head will be reserved until a later time.

At the top, the gear sleeve 82 is threaded within a bushing 92 which is formed with a flange 93 and which rests upon a bearing formed in the gear casing I4. The threaded connection between the parts 82, 92 is airtight. An annular gasket 94 carried in the bearing and surrounding the lower end of the sleeve makes an airtight running fit at this point. It will'thus be observed that the top of the seaming chamber 23 is sealed casing I4. The shaft 95 carries an inner bevel gear 96 which meshes with the gear 8| of the gear sleeve 58 and an outer gear 91, which is secured to the gear 96, meshes with the gear 9I' of the gear sleeve 62. The gear ratio between gears 8|, 96 and 9|, 9'! is sufficiently diiierent to provide the proper differential action for the seaming operation, this being awell known feature in machines of this class.

The gear end of the drive shaft 95 is journaled in a bearing sleeve 98 which rests in a bearing block 99 formed in the gear casing 14. The rear end of the shaft is supported in a sliding and r0- tating clutch sleeve IOI which in turn rests in a bearing I02 also formed in the casing I4. The bearing sleeve 98 is held in position on its support 99 by a bearing cap I03 (Fig. 2) bolted to the bearing 99 of the casing. The sleeve IOI is retained against displacement from-its bearing I02 by a bearing cap-I04 bolted to the bearing I02 of the casing. A drive pulley III is formed with a grooved hub H2 which is loosely mounted on the sleeve IOI and-this pulley may be rotated in any suitable manner the driving power for the machine being suitably applied thereto.

Pulley III is held against lateral movement by split bearing sections H3, H4 which engage within the groove of the hub H2. The section H3 is bolted direct to the casing I4 adjacent the bearing I02 and the section H4 is bolted to the other section. This construction allows for free rotation of the pulley while-preventing any lateral movement relative to the frame.

The pulley III carries a clutch pad washer I I5 which cooperates with a sliding disc section H6 of the clutch unit. The disc H6 is threadedly secured to the outer end of the sleeve IM and is further clamped in fixed position by bolts. The shaft 95 extends beyond the outer end of the A gasket ring .10 moves upon the hub 51 of the seaming head casp sleeve I0! and carries a hand wheel I H by means of which the shaft 95 may be manually moved. A spring H8 is interposed between one side of the hand wheel and a washer H9 located on the shaft 95 and abutting the end of the sleeve IIII. When unrestrained this spring II8 slides the sleeve IllI and the disc IIIiv carried thereby inwardly and into clutched position and when in clutched position the sleeve is frictionally connected through the clutch elements I I5 with the rotating pulley III. I

A removable cover member I2I closes the upper end of the gear casing 14, threaded finger screws I22 being used for engagement with the bearing caps I03, I84.

When the can 43 and its superimposed cover- 44 have been centered within the vacuum chamber 23 by the closed door 25 it is time to vacuumize the chamber. This step is manually set in motion. At the sametime a. can cover holding device associated with the seaming head is brought down into position so that the cover will not be dislodged from the can by the air issuing from its interior as the air is withdrawn from the seaming chamber. A handle control unit is used for manually bringing these steps into play. The holding of the can cover will first be considered and following this the turning on of the vacuum will be fully described.

Such a. handle control unit is located on one side of the machine and comprises a rock shaft I3I extending from the front of the machine (Figs. 5 and '7) which is journaled in bearings formed in brackets I32, I33 which are bolted to the column wall 2|. An operating handle I34 is secured to one end of the rock shaft I3I.

Rock shaft I3I' carries a cam block I35 which is .clamped on the shaft in a suitable position and this block engages with a cam web or fin I36. A lever arm I31 is secured to the lower end of a vertical rock shaft I38 which is journaled at its lower end in a bearing I39 formed in the wall of the column housing 2I. Its upper end has movement in a boss I4I formed in the top wall of the casing 14.

When the shaft I3I is rocked the cam rib I36 engages against a post I42 (Fig. 7) formed on the free end of the arm I31 andmoves the post back, thus rocking the shaft I38. The upper end of the shaft I38 carries a finger block I45 which is clamped onto the shaft. A spring I46 is interposed between the block I45 and the bearing I4I', one end of the spring being held in the bearing and the opposite end in the block. This spring holds the shaft so that the arm I31 is at all times against the cam rib I36 and when the latter moves the arm the shaft I38 turns against the act-ion of the spring I46.

The block I45 carries a spring mounted finger I41 which is pivotally connected to the block as at I48. When the shaft I38 is shifted to move the finger I41 the latter pushes against a sliding rod I5I (Figs. 3 and 7) .which has sliding movement within bearings I52 formed in a bracket I53 bolted to the upper part of the housing 14.

Sliding of the rod I5I allows the can cover holding device to move into cover holding posi-,

tion. This device comprises a pad I6I (Fig. 9) which is secured to the lower end of a vertical rod I62 slidingly mounted in the hollow stem 63. The upper end of the rod I62 (Figs. 1 and 3) extends above the end of the hollow stem and by the partial rotation of the shaft I3 I I63. When the can and its cover are first positioned within the chamber 23 the rod I62 and the holding pad I6I are in an intermediate position, the pad at such time being below the chuck 65 (as illustrated in Fig. 9) and being directly above the cover.

This position of the rod and pad is maintained by a spring held latch member I68 which ispivoted on a pin I68 (Figs. 3 and 7) carried in spaced lugs I1I formed in the block '15. The latch I68 is held by a spring, I12 which is wrapped around the pin I69 alongside of the latch member I68. The ends of this spring are held respectively in a bearing HI and in the latch so that the upper end of the latch when in latched position is held in engagement with the rod I62 and just below the collar I66 as shown in Fig. 3.

The lower end of the latch I68 is always in engagement with, the forward end of the sliding r d I5I and when the latter is moved forward as has just been described it rocks the latch member on its pivot pin I68 and pulls its upper end out from under the collar I66. The compressed spring I61 thereupon expands and forces the rod I 62 down into its lowermost position.

This position of the rod holds the pad I6I just above the can cover 44 so that the cover cannot fall off of the can but does not hold the cover down tight on the can. The loose joint between can and cover permits air to be withdrawn from the interior of the can by amere lifting of the cover as the air escapes into the vacuum chamber.

This holding'position of the pad is accurately determined by adjusting nuts I13 threadedly enaging the upper end of the rod I62 and when the latter is forced down by the spring I61 these huts strike against the top of the bushing I63 and prevent further downward movement. This provision of a cover holding device obviates the necessity of clinching the cover onto the can as is often done for the vacuum closing operation.

Actuation of certain valves and establishment of communication between a source of vacuum and the seaming chamber 23 is also brought about This shaft movement closes a valve leading from the chamber to atmosphere and opens a second valve leading from the chamber into a vacuum line. The shaft I3I carries a cam I8I (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) which is in engagement with a roller I82 carried on a lever I83 associated with the atmosphere valve and which is also in engagement with a roller I 84 rotatably carried on thr end of a lever I65 associated with the vacuum valve. Levers I83, I85 are loosely mounted on a stud I86 which is fixed in the bearing I33. I

The lever I83 at its lower end I81 engages the rear end of a sliding valve rod I88 which carries a valve I88 at its forward end. In a similar manner the lever I85 at its upper end I8I bears against the rear end of a sliding valve rod I92 which carries a valve I83 on its forward end.

These valves are part of a valve unit ',which is inserted through an opening I94 (Figs. 4 and 8) formed in one side wall of'the column housing 2 I. This unit comprises a valve body I95 formed with bearings I85, I81 for the respective valve rods I88, I92. It also has a forward section I98 (see also Fig. 3) which projects beyond the outline of the opening I84 where it is bolted to the housing 2 I.

On the opposite side the column wall 2I is extended laterally in an enclosing wall structure I98 which provides a chamber for the rear ends of the valve rods I88, I82 and parts associated therewith. This chamber may be closedby a cover lower channel 203.

member 200.

The valve body I95 encloses a chamber 20I which communicates in the forward section I98 of the body with an upper valve opening 202 and a The valve I93 cooperates with a valve seat 204 formed in the front wall of the body surrounding the opening 202 and when in shut position closes the valve opening 202.

A cover plate 206 is bolted on the front of the valve body section I98 and encloses a chamber 201 which communicates with the chamber 20I through the opening 202. The cover plate 206 is formed with a lower projecting wall part 208 which provides a partially closed atmospheric chamber 209 which communicates with the chamber 201 through a valveopening 2 formed in the cover plate. This plate opening connects with an opening 2I2 formed in a front wall of the body section I98.

A valve seat 2I3 is formed in the face of the body section surrounding the opening 2I2 and this seat cooperates with the valve I89 when the latter is in its closed position at which time it breaks the connection between the chamber 201 and the atmosphere chamber 209. This will be again referred to as the description proceeds.

A coil spring 2I5 is mounted on the rear end of the valve rod I88 andis confined between the rear end of the bearing I96 and a threaded collar 2I6 adjustably located on the end of the valve rod. In a similar manner a spring 2I1 is located on the rear end of the valve rod I92 and is confined between-the end of the bearing I91 and a collar 2I8 threadedly secured on the end of the valve rod. These springs 2I5, 2I1 hold the respective valve rods I88, I92 against the lever ends I81, I9I and this in turnkeeps the lever rollers I82, I84 in engagement at all times with the cam I8I. v

The shaft I3I and the cam I8I are in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 when the hand lever I34 is in its unoperated or normal position. At such a time the atmosphere valve I89 is unseated and the chamber 201 is open to atmosphere through the openings 2I I, 2I2 and the chamber 209. At the same time the valve I 93 is closed and the chamber 201 is out of communication with the chamber 20l.

The chamber 201 is at all times in direct communication with the seaming chamber 23, a passageway 22! (Fig. 8) formed in the housing 2| providing the connection between the chambers. Accordingly when the. valvesare in the positions.

. shown in Fig. 4 the seaming chamber 23 is in communication with the atmosphere and remains in this condition until the door 25 has been closed and the atmosphere valve I89 has also been closed and the vacuum valve I93 has been opened.

Turning of the shaft I3I (Fig. 5) moves the cam I8I (Fig. 4) in a clockwise direction and accordingly a high point on the cam passes out of engagement with the roller I82 of the lever I 83 whereupon the spring 2I5 is allowed to expand moving the lever I83 as its roller I82 ridesagainst the low part of the cam I8I, the valve rod I88 at such time sliding within its bearing I96. This movement of the valve rod seats the valve I89- the end of the valve rod I92 moves the rod, at I the same time compressing the spring 2I1. This movement of the valve rod unseats the valve- I93 as a vacuum pump or vacuum tank. The connection from such a source is indicated in the drawings as a pipe 225. (Figs. 1 and 4) which passes through a valve control unit 226. This unit is contained within a valve casing 221 which is secured to the front of the section I98 of the valve body I95.

The valve casing encloses an upper chamber 228 and a lower chamber 229. The chamber 228 connects with the channel 203 in the valve body and the chamber 229 connects with the interior of the pipe 225 which is held in position by threaded engagement within a flange 23I secured to the valve casing. Chambers 228, 229 are separated by a central web 232 in which communi eating openings 233, 234 are formed. The chamber 228 is closed at the top by a cover plate 235. A valve plate 238 is secured to the web 232 and is provided with openings corresponding 'to the valve openings 233, 234.

The valve opening 233 is only partially closed by a stationary valve 231 mounted on the upper end of a valve stem 238 which passes through the openings 233. This valve stem is held in or may be an integral part with a screw 239 which is threadedly engaged in the lower or bottom wall of the valve casing 221. Turning of. the screw 239 raises or lowers the valve 231 and provides an adjustment for the eflective valve opening, the distance of the valve 238 above the plate 236 restricting the available area for the valve opening.

' After the valve 231 has been positioned the parts are locked by a locknut 24I' threadedly engaging the screw 239 and abutting against the bottom of the valve casing.

The effective opening thus provided bythe valve 231 controls the rate of the passage of the air from the chamber 228 into the chamber 229. Such a valve is preferably set so that this passage of air consumes a relatively long time. Vacuumization of the chamber 20I is therefore relatively slow when the valve I93 has first opened up the passage 202 between the chambers 20I and 201.

In other words when the seaming chamber 23 is first opened to vacuum by connecting the chamber 201 with chamber 20I an appreciablelength of time is consumed before any substantial amount of air is removed. This feature is utilized for a purpose which finds its most valuable application in connection with cans brought within the chamber 23 and which have a powder or like contents. 4 Such a content if subjected suddenly to a high vacuum is blown out of the can by the escaping air. 1

The valve opening 234 is utilized for an additional valve area as the seaming chamber is vacuumized but this opening is initially closed by a valve 245. Valve 245 is loosely mounted on a. vertical rod 246 which passes centrally through the opening 234 its upper end being reduced and extended as a threaded end section 241 which passes through the cover 235. The vertical position of the rod 246 is maintained by a locknut 248 threadedly engaging the end 24101 the rod.

A spring 249 is located on the lower end of the rod, the upper end of the spring engaging the valve 245 and the lower end resting on an adjustable hollow sleeve 25I which is threadedly 7 engaged in the bottom wall of the valve. The compression upon the spring 249 and its effective pressure on the valve 245 may be changed by turning of the screw 25l and after a position of adjustment has been reached the screw is fixed by a locknut 252 which is threadedly secured thereto.

When the seaming chamber filled with atmosphere is first opened to the vacuum chamber 21H this air escaping through the restricted opening 233 is suflicient to hold down the valve 245 on its seat upon the plate 236 and to block off the opening 234 this holding of the valve being counter to the action of the spring 249. After a predetermined quantity of air has been withdrawn from the apparatus, previously referred to as a low vacuum, (ten or twelve inches on the mercury gauge, for example) the pressure of air holding down the valve 245 is sufliciently reduced so that the spring 249 forcing upwardly on the valve raises it and uncovers the opening 234.

Accordingly the air then flowing from chamber 228 to the chamber 229 passes not only through the restricted opening 233 but also through the opening 234. This effects what is herein referred to as a more rapid vacuumization and continues as the higher degrees of vacuum are brought about in the seaming chamber.

Turning of the handle shaft l3l also places a latch member connected therewith so that the shaft is locked against movement as soon as the automatic features of the apparatus begin. An arm 253 (Figs. 4 and 5) is secured to the end of the shaft l3l and on movement of the shaft this arm is moved from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 to that shown in dotted lines in the same figure. In other words the arm 253 is brought into a horizontal position. The locking of the shaft and arm against movement will be hereinafter fully described.

When the desired degree of vacuum is reached in the vacuum chamber the next step of operation of the machine automatically takes place and the piston control previously referred to is brought into action. This will now be considered and reference should be had to Figs. 3 and 7.

The seaming chamber 23 communicates with a passageway 255 (Fig. '7) formed in an outer cylinder 256 which may be an integral part of the central casing 22. An inner cylinder 251 extends into one end of the cylinder 256 and an annular flanged extension 258 is bolted against the face of the outer cylinder.

An opening in the opposite end of the outer cylinder (Figs. 3 and 7) is smaller, this being adjacent the channel 255 and this opening is closed by a, cylindrical needle valve body' 26! which is flanged at its outer end where it abuts against the end wall of the cylinder. The inner end of the valve body is threadedly engaged with a plug 262 which is seated in a countersink 263 formed in the outer cylinder and this cooperation holds these parts within the cylinder.

The peripheral wall of the valve body 26l is grooved at 264 and the adjacent cylinder wall is also recessed. This provides an annular space or chamber 265 which communicates on one side with the channel 255 leading from the seaming chamber.

The valve body 26I is cut across radially in a port 266 the ends of. which communicate with the chamber 265. The valve body is also provided with a central longitudinal bore 261 and the plug 262 is also provided with a communicating bore 268. The bore 261 is partially closed at its end by an adjustable needle valve 269 which is formed with a threaded section 2" which threadedly engages the end of the valve body, this needle valve being in axial alignment with the bores 261, 268. By turning the needle valve 269 within its threaded seat the available opening between the port 266 and the bore 261 is altered to suit conditions. the valve section 21l holds the needle valve in its adjusted position.

By means of this adjustment it is possible to set the valve so that a relatively rapid vacuum pull effective on the seaming chamber 23 and on the product in the enclosed can will be only slowly effective for subsequent machine operations. In

I other wordsthe product will be held under vacport 213 is a larger radial bore 214 which com-.

municates at one end with the port 213, this bore cutting across the central bore 261 of the valve body 26 l A check valve is provided at the junctions of the port 13 and the bore 214 and comprises a ball 215 which normally seats against the end of the bore 213 being held in such seated position by a spring 216 located in the bore 214 and confined in position by a threaded plug 211. This check valve closes when air is passing out of the bores 261, 268 and port 266 and requires all of the escaping air to pass the needle valve 269. Air removal from the cylinders is therefore delayed and the action is relatively slow. When the air flows in the opposite direction, however, that is when it enters the cylinder, the check valve is unseated and the action is relatively rapid.

The end of the bore 268 (Fig. 3) opens into a chamber 218 at the inner end of the cylinder 251. A piston 28l has sliding movement inside of the inner cylinder and forms one wall for the chamber 218 and this chamber is therefore variable 266, chamber 265 and passageway 255 into the This flow of air is relatively seaming chamber. slow depending upon the setting of the needle valve 269 as has already been explained.

When a predetermineddegree of vacuum has been established adjacent one face of the piston, atmospheric pressure acting upon the opposite face of thepiston is sufllcient to overcome the action of a spring and to force the piston from the position illustrated in Fig. 7 into that shown in Fig. .3.

The piston 28 I is centrally formed with spaced lugs 282 which hold a pivot pin 283 which provides a pivotal connection for one end of a rod 284 which extends out through an opening 285 formed in the head of the cylinder 251. A spring 286 is located on the rod and is confined be- A locknut 212 threadedly engaging As long as there is a balance in atmospheric pressure between the inside of the piston (which is always at atmosphere owing to the opening 285) and the opposite side .of the piston and inside of the cylinder, the spring issuflicient to hold the piston in the position of Fig. '7. The resistance of this spring is such as to be overcome by a. difference of pressures on the two sides of the piston when the space within the cylinder is vacuumized to a desired predetermined degree. I

As long as there is an amount of air in excess of the desired rarefied condition in the chamber 23, therefore, and in the connecting passageways of the valve body 26l and within the cylinder 251 the force of the spring 206 is not suflicient to move the piston against the atmospheric pressure. The work accomplished by movement of the piston will next be considered.

The rod 284 is pivotally connected to an arm 29I (Figs. 3, 4 and 7) which is, preferably an integral part of a gear segment hub 292 which is mounted for oscillation on a stud 293 secured into a wall of the gear casing 14. The teeth of the segment'gear hub 292 mesh with a pinion 295 which is keyed to one end of a rock shaft 296. The shaft 296 is journaled in bearings 291, 298 formed in the gear casing 14.

Movement of the shaft 296 under the action of the moving piston operates a clutchholding latch unit associated with the clutch parts IN, I I6; I I5 and the pulley I I I. During the time that the foregoing actions of insertinga can and-cover and while the vacuum is building up in the closed seaming chamber 23 the clutch sleeve I! is held outwardly by the holding latch against the actionof its spring I I8 so that the shaft 95 is unclutched from the drive pulley III. This condition is now changed.

The sleeve IOI at its inner end carries a brake drum 30I (Figs. 3, and '1) and this drum is engaged to compress the spring II8 by a pair of rollers 302. Each roller is rotatably mounted on the upper end of an arm 303 which extends up from a bell crank lever sleeve 304. This sleeve is loosely mounted on a stationary shaft 305 which is carried in bearings 306 formed in opposite side walls of the gear housing 14.

The bell crank lever sleeve 304 is formed with a downwardly extending am 301 the lower hooked end of which is engaged by a latch block 398 carried on the upper end of a vertically disposed slide rod 309. Rod 309 and its block 308 slide in a bearing sleeve 3| l formed as an integral part of the gear casing 14.

The latched position of the arm 301 as illustrated in'Fig. 5 is maintained by a spring 3I2 which is also located within the bearing sleeve 3H and its upper end engages the latch block 308. As long asthe arm 301 is held by the latch block 300, the rollers 302 hold the drum 30I and the clutch sleeve IOI in unclutched position. It is the unlatching of these parts 301, 308 that is brought about by partial rotation of the shaft 296 as has just been described.

Shaft 296 extends beyond the wall of the su port column 2| and into the housing which contains the ends ofthe valve stems I88, I92. Just outside of the bearing 298 this shaft carries a block 3I5 (Figs. 4 and 5) which pivotallysupports a spring held finger 3I6. This finger is normally engaged in-a notch 3I1'formed on one side of the latch rod 309 and as soon as the shaft 296 is moved the block 3I5 and its finger 3I6 are correspondingly shifted and the latter engaging in the notch 3I1 of the rod 309 pushes down upon the latter against the action of the spring 3I2 moving the rod from the position illustrated in Fig. 5 and disconnecting the latch block 308 from its engagement with the lower end of the arm 301.

The movement of the shaft 296 carries the finger 3I8 further than the rod 309. The finger snaps out of engagement with the notch 3I1 the finger then swinging on further with the shaft. This disengagement or unlatching of finger and rod takes place after the arm '301 has moved in a. counter clockwise direction (Fig. 5) and the rod 309 is immediately raised but is prevented from returning into theformer position by the block 308 striking against the bottom of the arm as illustrated in Fig. 3. The movement of the arm 301 will first be considered. 9

The bell crank lever sleeve 300 also carries an arm 32I (Fig. 5) which is in engagement at all times with a block 322 formedon the upper end of a vertically disposed rod 323 which has sliding movement within a bearing 324 formed as an integral part with the sleeve bearing 3| I. A spring 325 is located within the bearing 324, its upper end engaging the block 322 and urging it outwardly and in engagement with the arm 32 I.

The sleeve 304 and its various arms are at all times urged in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. by the combined action of the spring 325 and the clutch spring H8. as soon therefore as the lock 308 disengages the arm 301.0f the bell crank lever sleeve the latter shifts, as has already been described, permitting sliding of the clutch sleeve MI and clutching of the shaft 95 and drive pulley III. This position is held while the othermachine operations take place, that is, until the bell crank lever sleeve is again shifted by other means to unclutch the machine shaft from the driving pulley as will be hereinafter fully explained.

The block 322 has another purpose, being associated with the braking action of the machine. When the block is raised as it follows up with the shifting of the arm 322, a brake band 326 (Figs. 5 and 6) is released from holding the brake drum 30I. One end of the band 326 is fixed at 321 to the bearing 324 and the opposite end of the drum is connected at 328 to the block 322. When this latter end of the band is lifted therefore the braking action on the brake drum is nullified the shaft 95 being then clutched tothe drive pulley IIi.'

Provision is made for preventing shifting of the handle control shaft I3I after the machine has started under its clutch connection with the drive pulley I I I. This insures that as soon as the automatic steps of machine operation have begun they will be finished and the cycle will not be interrupted as might take place if the handle control could be shifted. This provides a foolproof feature. In other words the shaft I3I is locked in its actuated position and the atmosphere and vacuum valves I89, I 93- cannot be changed until after the seaming operation has been completed.

This latching is effected by the lowering of the rod 309 (Figs. 4 and 5). The lower end of is being moved down and before it is disengaged from the finger 3|6.

-As soon as the parts 253, 33| are latched, the bell crank lever is held in the position shown in Fig. and the shaft |3| cannot be moved as long as this condition exists. The arm 329 is held by a spring 332, the upper end of which engages a post 333 carried in the side wall of the column 2|. The spring is placed under tension by the movement of the arm 329 as has just been described. This spring is used for disconnecting or unlatching the parts as will be fully described.

The shaft 296 can also be manually turned and the same results obtained as when the piston 28| is moved by the establishment of a predetermined vacuum in the sealing chamber. This provision permits operation of the machine without any vacuum as where the machine is being adjusted or the seaming steps are being inspected. Such a manual turning of the shaft 296 may be made in any suitable manner as by a wrench 334 (Fig. 4) which is applied to the end of the shaft and which'extends out through an opening in the cover member 200. A handle 335 of the wrench provides for easy manipulation.

Rotation of the shaft 95 brought about as just described affects the can support 4| which, with its rod 42, is lifted to bring the can 43 and its cover 44 into seaming position within the seaming head. This lifting is brought about through the carried in bearings 34| formed in the opposite walls of the gear casing 14. The middle part of the sleeve 338 and the gear wheel 331 .are confined within a housing formed in three sections. The central section of the housing, designated by the numeral 342, partially confines the shaft 95 and the upper part of the sleeve. A lower housing cap 343 and an upper cap 344 both bolted to the central section 342 complete the assembly.

One of the hubs 339 (Fig. 4) of the worm wheel 331 carries a face cam 345 which is bolted'to the ear wheel sleeve. As soon therefore as the shaft 95 begins its rotations the cam 345 is correspondingly moved. A cam groove 346 of the cam operates upon a roller 341 (see also Fig. 2) which is rotatably mounted on the end of an arm 348 of a bell crank lever 349.

The bell crank lever 349 is loosely mounted on a stationary shaft 358 which is confined within bearings 35| formed in the side walls of the gear casing 14. The bell crank lever is also formed with an arm 352 which is pivotally connected to the upper bifurcated end of a connecting bar 353 which is located inside of the column 2|. The lower end of the bar 353 is pivotally connected to an arm 354. One end of the arm 354 is pivotally mounted on a rod 355 which is carried in the column 2| The free end of the arm 354 which is bifurcated is loosely connected to links 356 (see also Fig. 1) and these are pivotally connected at their lower ends to a block which is mounted on the lower end of the support rod 42 and which is part of a yielding spring unit 351 forming a connection between the arm 354 and the support rod. By means of such a connection the cam 345 operating through the various levers, etc., just described, raises the can support 4| and yieldingly slots and threadedly engage in the seaming head casing. The bolts preferably have a number of different threaded seats or positions to adapt the slide blocks to a greater range of adjustment than would be possible with the slotted construction alone. This allows for adjustment for different can diameters.

The front end of the arm 354 and the associated parts 356; 351 are confined within a chamher 359 which is closed by a hinged door 360.

The support 4| when in its lower can receiving position is located just enough below the chuck to easily receive the can. This position is changed for different heights of cans, this feature making the machine adjustable for can height. Filler blocks 36| are placed on the rod 42 when a taller can is being handled and these blocks displace a certain amount of air space so that vacuumization of the seaming chamber 23 does not require any greater air movement for a short can than is required for a higher can.

The actual seaming of the can and cover is effected by first and second operation seaming rollers 362 cooperating with the stationary chuck in the usual manner. Each of these rollers is similarly mounted and a consideration of one roller unit will sufflce for a complete understanding of both units. Each seaming roller 362 (Figs. 9, 12 and 13) is mounted on a stud 363 which is carried in the end of ,a lever arm 364 and this arm is preferably an integral part with a hollow tubular shaft section 365 (see also Fig. which extends into the seaming head casing 56. This member has slight rotative movement within a bushing 366 carried in the lower wall of the head casing and in a bearing collar 361 carried in the casing cover 83.

The tubular member 365 is oscillated by the action of a seaming cam lever 368 which is mounted upon the tubular member and is adjustably secured in position in the following manner. Tubular member 365 intermediate its length is formed with gear teeth 31| (Figs. 9 and 10) which are engaged by a worm section 312 formed on the end of an adjusting pin 313. The pin 313 is carried in the seaming cam lever 368 and is confined within a lock bushing 314 which is threadedly engaged in the lever. By turning the pin 313 the lever 368 is moved relative to the tubular member 365, by means of the worm teeth 31l, 313, and this changes the relative association of the lever 368 and the lever arm 364 on which the seaming roller is mounted.

The hub of the lever 368 is split along one side as at 315 (Fig. 10) and after the lever-has been adjustably located on the tubular member 365 it is clamped in adjusted position by two lock bolts 316. The two levers 868 are confined entirely within the seaming head casing 56 and For this purpose the vertical peripheralwall of the head casing 56 is cut through in three slots 311 (Figs. 10 and 11) on each side of the head. The middle slot is in alignment with the adjusting screw 313 and the top and bottom slots are in alignment with the top and bottom clamp bolts 316. Except at such time as an adjustment is being made these slots 316 are closed in an airtight joint by a plate 318 which covers the three slots on each side, a gasket washer 319 being inserted between the wall of the seaming head casing and the plate.

Screws 38| threadedly engaging the wall of the seaming head casing on each side and intermediate the slots 311, hold the plate 318 in head closing position. In making the adjustment it is merely necessary .to remove the screws 38I and the plate with its washer in order to open the slots at which time a screw driver or other similar tool may be inserted through each slot to engage the adjusting or clamp bolt desired.

Movement of the seaming rollers 362 in proper time for seaming is effected by a shifting of their supporting lever arms 364 and their cam levers 368. Each lever 368 carries a cam roller 385 (Figs. 9 and 10). which may be mounted on the usual roller or other type of bearing 386 which is herein carried on a pin 381. Each pin 381 is carried in the bifurcated end 388 of its associated seaming cam lever 368.

The first operation cam roller cooperates with a different cam from the second operation roller. There are two different cams, therefore, for a seaming head and these cams may be formed as an integral part of the hollow cam unit 89 previously described. The two cams are herein designated by the numerals 39I, 392. Each lever 368 is backed up'by a spring 393 which is interposed between the outer edge of the lever and a pin 394 carried in the adjacent peripheral wall of the seaming head casing 56.

After the seaming of the can has been completed and the seamed can returned to its lowered positionfthe drive shaft 95 is automatically unclutched from the driving pulley III. This is accomplished in the following manner. A cam 395 (Figs. 4, and 7) is carried on one of the hubs 339 of the sleeve 338 and is bolted in position on the sleeve opposite to the cam 345. The bell crank lever sleeve 394 is also formed with another arm 396 on the end of which a cam roller 391 is rotatably mounted.

When the bell crank lever was disengaged from its unclutched position and was shifted by the combined actions of the springs H8 and 325 the roller 391 was moved down into engagement with the peripheral cam surface of the cam 395. During the ,cycle of operation of the machine just described the cam 395 and the roller 391 moved without shifting the position of the arm 396.

As the seaming operation is completed, however, a high point 398 on the cam forces the roller 391 up and rocks the bell crank lever sleeve 394, thus moving the arm 391 back into position where the latch block 398 snaps up and engages the lower notched end of the arm.

This rocking of the sleeve 394 immediately unclutches the parts I I5, I I6 from the belt pulley I I I but there is sufilcient overthrow in the shaft to carry the high point 398 of the cam 395 into the position shown in Fig. 5. The shifting of the sleeve 394 depresses the block 322 against the action of the spring 325 and this draws the band 32I around the brake drum 39I. The

amount of such overthrow is determined entirely by the tightness of the brake band 32l and this in turn depends on the exact position of the ends of the brake band.

It will be understood that when the cam 345 (Fig. 2) lowers the can support 4I into the posi-.

tion shown in that figure the cover holding pad I6I moves down with the seamed can and assists in stripping the can from the chuck 65. The rod I62 (Fig. 3) at such a time is forced down under the action of the spring. I61 until the nuts I13 strike against the upper end of the bushing I63. This restores the parts to normal position.

The seamed can 43 is now resting in the closed seaming chamber 23 but before it is possible to open the door 25 to remove the can from its position it is necessary to again bring the seaming chamber into connection with the atmosphere and at the same time to cut off the connection with the source of vacuum. This is done by moving the handle I34 and its shaft I3I back into normal position.

The shaft I3I is free to move at this time inasmuch as the latch member 33I (Fig. 5) released the finger 253 when the block 398 moved-up with the rod 399. The various operations directly associated with the movement of the shaft I3I take place reversing the position of the connecting parts.

With the movement of the cam web I36 (Figs. 5 and 7) the arm I31 is released from its held position and the spring I46 shifts the vertical shaft I38 restoring the finger block I45 to its former position with the finger I41 in engagement with the sliding rod I5I.

The position of the atmosphere and vacuum valves I89 and I93 is also reversed and these valves are brought into the position of Fig. 4, thus opening the chamber 291 to atmosphere and closing the connection between the chambers MI, 291. This restores the seaming chamber 23 to atmosphere and cuts off the connection between that chamber and the source ofvacuum.

At the same time the piston 28I is moved back to normal (Fig. '7) by its spring 286 both faces of the piston head at that time being in a balanced atmosphere. With the establishment of atmosphere in the seaming chamber the door 25 is free and thereupon may be swung back on its hinges and the sealed can removed by hand.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, seaming mechanism within said chamber, a can support also within said chamber, cover holding devices associated with said seaming mechanism, a latch member for holding said seaming mechanism and to operate the latter to vacuum seal the can.

2. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, seaming mechanism within said chamber, a can support also within said chamber, cover holding devices associated with said seaming mechanism, means for lowering said cover hold ing devices to hold a superimposed cover loosely on a can while in said support to allow withdrawal of air from the can interior, means for vacuumizing said chamber and said can, a manually operated handle control for operating said cover holder lowering means and said vacuumizing means, a cylinder connected with said vacuum chamber and simultaneously vacuumized therewith, and automatic means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said cylinder for raising said can support to bring the vacuumized can within said seaming mechanism and to op-' erate the latter to vacuum seal the can.

3. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, cover holding means, seaming mechanism within said chamber, means for actuating the seaming mechanism, a can support also within said chamber for holding cans and superimposed covers in seaming position for said seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, and vacuum control devices for regulating the rate of vacuumization so that the said chamher will be slowly vacuumized to a predetermined degree of vacuum andthereafter more rapidly vacuumized to a higher degree of vacuum, and rock shafts at an angle to each other, and connected, for manually operating the cover holding means and for applying the vacuum to the seaming chamber.

4. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, cover holding means, seaming mechanism within said chamber, means for actuating the seaming mechanism, a can support also within said chamber for holding cans and superimposed covers in seaming position for said seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, vacuum control devices for regulating the rate ofvacuumization so that the said chamber will be slowly vacuumized to a predetermined degree of vacuum and thereafter more rapidly vacuumizing to a higher degree of vacuum, and means for adjusting the timing of said vacuum control devices to alter the relative degrees of said first and second vacuumization, and rock shafts at an angle to each other, and connected, for manually operating the cover holding means and for applying the vacuum to the seaming chamber.

5. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for holding a can and cover, seaming mechanism located in said chamber above said support, means for actuating the seaming mechanism means for vacuumizing said chamber, a handle control for sealing said chamber against atmosphere and for connecting it with said vacuumizing means, means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for operating said can support to clamp the can and cover within said seaming mechanism and for holding them so clamped during seaming, and means for preventing reverse movement of said handle control until after said seaming.

6. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber having a lower can and cover receiving position and a raised can and cover seaming position, seaming mechanism located in said chamber above said support, means for vacuumizing said chamber, cover holding devices associated with said seaming mechanism and having a lower and an upper position and when lowered cooperating with said can support when it is in its lower position for loosely retaining the cover on the can during its vacuumization, means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover into seaming position the while tightly seating the cover on the can and returning said cover holding devices into their raised position, and means for actuating said seaming mechanism after the cover has been tightly seated on the can to seam the two together, and rock shafts at an angle to each other, and connected, for manually operating the cover holding means and for applying the vacuum to the seaming chamber.

7. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, double seaming rolls within said chamber, means for actuating the seaming rolls, a can support also within said chamber for holding cans and superimposed covers in seaming position within said seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover in position for seaming by said seaming mechanism, and adjusting devices for altering the time of actuation of said can support raising means.

8. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a seaming head having double seaming mechanism within said chamber, means for actuating the seaming mechanism, a can support also enclosed within said chamber for holding cans and superimposed covers in seaming position within said seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, a cylinder connected with said vacuumizing chamber and simultaneously vacuumized therewith, means associated with said cylinder and actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover in position for seaming by said seaming mechanism, and adjusting devices effective to control the rate of flow of air into and out of said cylinder for altering the time of actuation of said can support raising means.

9. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a casing, a seaming chamber enclosed in said casing, a door on said casing for closing said chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for receiving and holding a can and cover, seaming mechanism located in said chamber, means for actuating the seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, a hinge pintle for said door allowing lateral movement of the door to fit said chamber, and means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for moving said can support to clamp the can and cover in position for seaming by said seaming mechanism.

10. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for receiving and holding a can with its superimposed cover, a rotary seaming mechanism located above said support, means for vac- I arresting the can in seaming position and for holding the cover above the can opening, and

means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover in position for seaming and for also rotating said seaming mechanism to double seam said cover on said can.

11. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing conj-ainers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for receiving and holding a can with its superimposed cover, seaming mechanism located in said chamber and above said support, means for actuating said seaming mechanism, a door for closing said chamber, centering devices partly carried by said door and operating on the closing of said door to center the can and its cover relative to said seaming mechanism, manually operated horizontal and verticalrock shafts for placing the cover in can-closing position, means forvacuumizing said chamber, and means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover in position for, seaming by said seaming mechanism.

12-. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seam-' ing chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for receiving and holding a can with its superimposed cover, centering devices for aligning can and cover, seaming mechanism located in said chamber and above said support, means for actuating said seaming mechanism, a cover hold-'- ing device for holding the cover spaced from the can prior to seaming, means for vacuumizing said chamber controlled with said aligning devices, means'actuated by a' predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover in position for seaming by said seaming mechanism, and yielding means associated with said support and with said actuating means for yieldingly clamping the can and cover within said seaming" mechanism.

13,. An apparatus .for vacuumizing and sealingcontainers, comprising in combination, a vacuum seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for receiving and holding a can with its superimposed cover, seaming mechanism located above said support, means for actuating said seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, cover holding devices connecting with said seaming mechanism, means 'for lowering said devices for cooperating with said can support and operative during the vacuumizing of said chamber for retaining the cover on the can while also permitting withdrawal of air from the can interior, hand-operated devices for operating said holding devices and for operating the vacuumizing means, and means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support and with it the said cover holding devices to bring the can and cover in position for seaming by said seaming mechanism.

14. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a vacuum seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber for receiving and holding a can with its superimposed cover, seaming mechanism located above said support, means for actuating said seaming mechanism, means for vacuumizing said chamber, cover holding devices cooperating with said can support and operative during the vacuumizing of said chamber for retaining the cover on the can while also permitting with-v drawal of air from thecan interior, means for adjusting a can and. cover in the seaming chamber, and adjusting elements in said cover holding devices for controlling the rate of withdrawal of the air from said can interior.

15. An apparatus for vacuumizing andsealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a can support inside of said chamber having a lower canv and cover receiving position and a raised can and cover seaming position,

seaming mechanism located in said chamber 7 it is in its lower position for loosely retaining thecover on the can during its vacuumization, and

means for raising said can support to bring the can and cover into seaming position, and substantially horizontal and vertical rock shafts,

operatively connected together, and having means for adjusting the cover holding devices and for connecting the chamberwith the vacuum.

16. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising in combination, a seaming chamber, a can support inside Jf said chamber having a lower can and cover receiving position and a raised can and cover seaming position,

seaming mechanism located in said chamber above said support, means for vacuumizing said chamber, coverholding devices associated with said seaming mechanism and having .a raised non-actuating position and a lowered actuating position, said devices in their lowered position cooperating with said can support when it is in its lower position for looselyretaining the cover on the can during its vacuumization, means actuated by a predetermined vacuum within said chamber for raising said can support to bring the can and cover into seaming position and to return said cover holding devices into raised nonactuating position, and actuating means for said seaming mechanism and also operable by said predetermined vacuum means for seaming can and cover when said can support is in its raised position, and a rock shaft extending from the front part of the machine and having devices for connecting said chamber with the atmosphere or with said vacuumizing means.

17. An apparatus for vacuumizing and containers, comprising in combination a vacuum seaming chamber, a seaming head having double seaming mechanism within said chamber, means sealing for vacuumizing said chamber, a can-lifting platen above the bottom of the chamber and'enclosed within the same for holding a can with its superimposed cover in seaming position within said seaming chamber, operating elements for said can-holding means and sai'd'seaming mechanism,

' control devices for actuating the operating elements after the vacuum chamber has been vacuumized to a predetermined degree, and a manually operated means for disconnecting said controi devices to permit operation of the apparatus without vacuum,

, SAMUEL SIDNEY JACOBS. v 

